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Mobile upgrade question - or is it?

11 replies

purpleprincess · 02/06/2015 21:44

I'm out of contract on my iPhone 4s and want to 'upgrade' to iPhone 6. Please can someone explain in words of one syllable the difference between upgrade and pay monthly prices on the Carphone warehouse website.

Sorry it I'm being thick!

Thanks very much

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NetworkGuy · 02/06/2015 23:37

The upgrade would be with the same network, but if you spot a deal offering similar minutes, texts, and data from another network (and have easy way to backup all contents from your mobile) you could get current network to give you a PAC (Porting authority code) and move your number to a different network.

You'd get a monthly contract via CPW for the new deal, including the new phone, and then move your number (using that PAC within 30 days from when it is issued). When you use the PAC, the old phone will no longer have service from the old network, and your new phone will magically get the old number (the one you are using now) moved onto it, so friends will still be abele to reach you.

The other possibility for an "upgrade" price on CPW site is for a new PAYG phone, when you buy the phone from CPW. Buying a phone gets a price which may depend on the network. If you've been spending regularly with a network, the price charged for a PAYG phone is sometimes reduced (but not by much really), although with an iPhone 6 you'd be looking at hundreds of pounds and I'm guessing you want to continue under contract and upgrade to the iPhone 6 while not spending any extra...

What are you currently paying, and what prices (for upgrade and monthly contract) have you seen ? (Oh, and which network are you on, for complete clarity?) Might be better to see some examples of what you've seen and then hopefully be able to explain why there are differences :)

purpleprincess · 03/06/2015 08:45

Thanks NG. I get the whole changing networks thing I think but it's this page on the CPW website that's confusing. Hope link works....

here

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purpleprincess · 03/06/2015 08:47

Sorry should have said you've got the pay monthly tab and the upgrade tab. I'm with vodaphone and even if stay with them there is cost difference between the two options.

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NetworkGuy · 03/06/2015 09:07

Hmmmm, yes, can see that they offer the phone with no up front fee if you are a new customer but it's got a nasty £50 fee to upgrade.

Under those circumstances, I'd ask Vodafone direct (unless CPW has something special bundled with phone)... or get a Sainsbury's PAYG SIM (Sainsbury mobile uses Voda) and see if it registers you on network (test by ringing Sainsbury PAYG from landline or friend's phone)... if it works, get PAC from Vodafone, wait for about 20 days and sign up for new Voda conrract at CPW, then use PAC to move number to Sainsbury's, ....

When new Voda iPhone 6 in your hans and working, ask Sainsbury's for PAC and move number to iPhone 6 on Voda again.

Even if PAYG topup is £10 you save £40.

NetworkGuy · 03/06/2015 09:08

sorry about typo - on phone! "hands"

NetworkGuy · 03/06/2015 09:13

Just to add ... discounts for new customers rather than rewarding loyal existing customers is quite common...

Plus.Net ISP was offering new customers £90 cashback and £10/ month reduction for 6 months, plus free installation (£50 saving) in 2013, but as an existing customer for 10 years, I'd get none of those savings.... Grrrrrrrrrr.

purpleprincess · 03/06/2015 09:39

Ok so in essence the diff between upgrade price and pay monthly option is that upgrade is if you are an existing customer....sneaky! I'm already with voda but not through CPW. Don't suppose that counts. The other stuff sounds complicated and it really feels like as a customer I'm being done over! Thanks for your help!

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purpleprincess · 03/06/2015 09:40

Also to add...I'm currently paying £21 month...

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NetworkGuy · 03/06/2015 10:09

Oh, significant difference, but always the newest phones have premium costs.

Sometimes a refurbished phone offer may save a bit - but only other option is to wait until Autumn and iPhone 7 launch, so iPhone 6 no longer flagship phone.

Check www.hotukdeals.com for "iPhone 6" if you know other networks are usable where you live - someone may spot a good deal in next 5 months...

NetworkGuy · 03/06/2015 10:18

buymobiles.net offering 5GB data plus "unlimuted" minutes and texts for £36.99

That's like the £50 up front fee spread over 24 months but generous voice and text and moderate data (if EE serves your area).

I'm on old £15 SIM only deal, with Three, getting me 2000 minutes, 5000 texts, unlimited data (have used 100++ GB this month), so no chance of me looking at most new phone contracts, just bought cheap(ish) Motorola Moto G for £130 rather than flagship phone at £600 - £800 ....

NetworkGuy · 03/06/2015 10:20

"unlimited" minutes and texts ... most networks gave unwritten limits after which they consider it business use.... and charge for that use.

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